What Does the "Need IPv6 code in mroute_extract_addr_from_packet" Error Mean?

Question:

What causes the "Need IPv6 code in mroute_extract_addr_from_packet" message in OpenVPN?

Answer:

This error message typically appears in older versions of OpenVPN that do not support IPv6 transport through the VPN tunnel. Here are the key details and solutions.

Cause of error

This error occurs when the VPN client has IPv6 enabled on its VPN tunnel adapter and attempts to send IPv6 traffic through an OpenVPN tunnel that doesn't support IPv6.

Solutions

1. Ignore the message: If IPv6 traffic is unnecessary for your network operations, you can safely ignore this message.
2. Disable IPv6: To prevent the error from occurring, you can disable IPv6 on the virtual network adapter used by the VPN. This stops the VPN from attempting to route IPv6 traffic, eliminating the error.
3. Update your software: For a permanent solution, consider updating both the server and client sides of your OpenVPN installation to a more recent version that supports IPv6. This update will allow IPv6 traffic to pass through the VPN tunnel without issues.

Implementing the solution

• If you choose to disable IPv6, you can typically do so through your device's network settings. Navigate to the properties of your virtual network adapter and uncheck the IPv6 option.
• To update your OpenVPN software, visit the official OpenVPN website or consult your network administrator for help upgrading to a version that supports IPv6 traffic.